The Anambra State Government says it has strengthened disease surveillance across the state’s 21 local government areas as part of efforts to prevent the spread of Ebola following concerns over a reported case in Abuja.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, disclosed this during a press briefing in Awka, assuring residents that no case of Ebola had been confirmed in Anambra.
Obidike said the government had deployed 10 trained health informants per ward, with support from the World Health Organisation (WHO), to enhance the early detection and reporting of suspected cases.
He added that health screening and travel declaration procedures had been reinforced at relevant entry points as part of the state’s preparedness measures.
According to him, Anambra began strengthening its epidemic response about three months ago following federal directives and had continued collaborating with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), WHO, UNICEF and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).
The commissioner urged residents to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information, assuring them that health authorities were closely monitoring the situation.
He also warned against the use of unproven remedies, particularly drinking or bathing with saltwater, to prevent Ebola.
Obidike explained that Ebola is primarily transmitted through direct contact with the blood or other bodily fluids of an infected person who is symptomatic, rather than through casual contact.
He advised residents who develop persistent fever, severe headaches, joint pain or unusual weakness to seek prompt medical attention, particularly if they may have been exposed to the virus.
The commissioner cautioned against self-medication, noting that the early symptoms of viral haemorrhagic fevers could resemble those of malaria and typhoid, making professional medical assessment essential.
On Lassa fever, Obidike disclosed that a 50-year-old woman had been diagnosed with the disease but was stable. He said eight identified contacts were being monitored and had remained symptom-free during the monitoring period.
He further revealed that secondary and tertiary health facilities across the state had designated holding and isolation centres to facilitate the safe assessment and management of suspected cases.
The commissioner urged residents to report persistent symptoms to authorized health facilities and cooperate with public-health officials to strengthen disease prevention, early detection and response efforts.
